Devotionals by Dr. Michael Youssef
June 11, 2026
A Prisoner, Yet Free
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
During the Second World War, Corrie ten Boom and her family realized the risks associated with hiding and protecting Jewish citizens. However, in a small, hidden room in the ten Boom home above the father’s watch shop, men and women found temporary refuge from Hitler’s wicked pursuit. Once they secured safe passage out of the country, they would leave, but there was always a steady flow of others coming to find a place of safety.
In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie tells how most of her family were captured and sent to a concentration camp. The conditions in the camp were deplorable and beyond anything she thought she could bear.
Watching her beloved sister waste away and then die seemed like the final blow to her heart. Had God forgotten her? She was a believer and only had done what she and her family felt He was leading them to do. How did she end up a prisoner?
From our perspective, most of life’s tragedies do not make sense as we suffer in this fallen world. And so Corrie struggled to make sense of her imprisonment until one day she realized God’s grace truly was her strength and salvation.
“It was dark in my cell,” Corrie wrote. “I talked with my Savior. Never before had fellowship with Him been so close. It was a joy that I hoped would continue unchanged. I was a prisoner—and yet . . . how free!”
A day before her scheduled execution, Corrie was set free. Remember, no matter the outcome, God has not abandoned you. He is right beside you just as He was with Corrie in her darkest times. May we walk through trials with the confidence of Paul, saying, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).
Prayer: Lord, I know Your love for me drives the darkness of this world away. I know that You will never leave me! Thank You. Help me to find comfort in this Truth, no matter how dark the situation may be. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“[E]ven the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:12).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Joseph: Portrait of a Winner, Winners Don’t Always Look like Winners: LISTEN NOW
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About Leading The Way
Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through every available form of media, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives around the world.
What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ, including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Dr. Youssef's Biblically-based programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. His books, MY Journal magazine, and daily e-devotionals continue to minister to a global audience. Leading The Way utilizes cutting-edge technology to advance the Gospel. Its solar-powered Navigators are reaching into remote villages, and the ministry's KINGDOM SAT TV channel—launched by Dr. Youssef in 2009—is reaching into the Middle East with programming in English, Arabic, and French. Field Teams follow up with viewers, including those in restricted areas, to lead the lost to Christ, disciple new believers, and support the underground Church.
Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way team are committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus with the lost and equipping believers to grow in Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.
About Dr. Michael Youssef
Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground teams. His Biblically-based teaching programs are broadcast more than 18,000 times per week in multiple languages around the world. He is also the Founding Rector of Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, and founder of the AWAKE America prayer movement.
Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds theological degrees from Moore College and Fuller Theological Seminary and a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Life-Changing Prayers, Is the End Near?, How to Read the Bible, Heaven Awaits, and God’s Final Call. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 15 grandchildren.
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